Longtime Platte Floral owner and (secret) philanthropist Mel Tolbert’s life was marked by kindness, generosity and love. His unexpected death should be treated no differently, his wife of 48 years said.

After removing Tolbert, 79, from life support Sunday, Dianna Tolbert offered understanding to Trevor Dierdorff, who was backing up to pull into a parking space Tuesday when he hit Tolbert crossing behind him.

“I just wanted you to know that I also feel your sorrow and know that it was an accident,” Dianna wrote to Dierdorff in a text message.

“I am overcome with remorse,” Dierdorff replied, before vowing to “fill the gap of light and love left behind by Mel’s passing.”

Tolbert’s are big shoes to fill, judging by his family’s struggle to find a space large enough to accommodate the crowd expected to attend his memorial service Friday. He will be honored at 1:30 p.m. at First Christian Church, 16 E. Platte Ave.

Breaking her husband’s decades of hidden charity, Dianna said people would “be surprised how much he donated to this community that no one knew about because he never wanted the recognition.”

He donated arrangements for church dances and the Annual Father and Daughter Dinner/Dance. He blanketed forgotten graves with flowers around Christmas and Memorial Day. Since 2006, he’s placed a wreath at the site where Colorado Springs Police Detective Jared Jensen was shot and killed, a gesture “for Jared’s mother,” Dianna said.

But mainly, Tolbert’s generosity showed daily in his work at the flower shop, where he never turned away a customer in need. He did fast work for last minute additions to funeral services, for forgetful husbands on Valentine’s Day, and for high school boys frantic for a delicate corsage hours before prom.

Platte’s motto was “The store with so much blooming imagination,” but really, Tolbert was “The man with so much blooming imagination,” said longtime friend Tom Vien, director of The Springs Funeral Services. Tolbert is the one that made it all work, he said.

All of those little things the community came to love and respect about Tolbert will continue through Platte Floral, Dianna promised.

“It has to. That was his baby,” she said.

Tolbert’s life was just as colorful as his flower arrangements.

After high school, the New York native joined the Army before transferring to the Peace Corps. He lived two years in Brazil teaching locals how to grow crops other than corn to feed themselves and earn supplemental income.

“Children of the people he helped would recognize him immediately on the street,” Dianna said of their return visits to the South American country.

Tolbert traveled often – visiting 75 countries over his 79 years, Dianna said. He ran with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain.

In 1968, his travels led him to a flower shop in Madison, Wis., where he met Dianna. “He was my boss,” Dianna said. The two married eight months later.

They moved to Colorado Springs in 1979, where Tolbert worked at Platte Floral before taking over ownership two years later. He never stopped finding ways to get involved in the community, since.

“I don’t think he could have ever retired,” Dianna said.

The 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office is still deciding whether to charge Dierdorff in the traffic death. Police Lt. Howard Black previous speculated it was unlikely, adding “there’s nothing to suggest alcohol or drugs were involved.”

Charges aren’t something Dianna says she’s looking for, now that the initial anger has passed. Throughout their marriage, when life didn’t go as planned, Tolbert would always tell her “get over it,” Dianna explained in a text to Dierdorff. That’s what she intends to do.

It’s more important to remember Tolbert’s generous spirit and continue his legacy, she said.

“Platte Floral will be here,” she promised.